GEO415/PAD515 Cartography

The course, GEO 415/PAD 515 Cartography, focuses on teaching students how to make professional maps with use of the mapping software, ArcGIS Desktop. In this semester, this course was offered with combining with the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Projects. Each student has been working on a different mapping project for a different non-profit organization. Working on the Mayerson projects is extremely valuable for the students to gain not only insights of applying cartographic theories to create qualify maps, but also experiences of solving real world problems for local non-profit organizations. All these experiences help to prepare the students not only to succeed in their future career in their own field, but also to extend their future career opportunities to other fields.

"The Mayerson Student Philanthropy project has been a really great learning experience. Working with Erica at gateway has given me practice for my future career, and she has been great overall about working together with me to lay out the needs of this project. I originally chose to work with Gateway Community and Technical College because of their great reputation in the community and all the work they have done. I have several friends who finished their general education requirements there and wouldn't have been able to afford full college otherwise. Working with them has just reinforced that great experience and I'm excited to see all the good work their non-profit does going forward."  - Kathryn Biddle, GEO 415/PAD 515 student

"I am glad that I had the opportunity to work in a project  with an organization that gives care and support for the community. It was a great experience working in  Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, and I am honored that I was able to create maps that could benefit United Way Organization. I would like to thank the Saudi Arabian Cultural mission for giving me the chance to study abroad and Professor Wang for helping me in learning the course material and in creating these maps and Amy Weber for ensuring the success of this project by providing all the help and tools needed." - Murtadha Almakki, GEO 415/PAD 515 student

Remarks from the nonprofit:

Gateway Community & Technical College is deeply thankful for the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project and NKU’s GEO 415 course.

Because 46% of Gateway's nontraditional students earn income below the poverty threshold level, and a third of our student’s report making less than $10,000 annually - despite their independent status- our food pantry is a critical part of our intent to remove nonacademic barriers to program completion.

The funding donated from the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project will directly impact our students in helping us remove barriers to higher education. The mapping project from NKU’s GEO 415 course will help those visiting our campuses have an easier time finding access to our building and facilities.   

Thanks again, Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project and NKU’s GEO 415 course.

https://gateway.kctcs.edu/

Remarks from the nonprofit: 

United Way of Greater Cincinnati believes that all families deserve economic well-being. Even before COVID-19, too many families in our region were forced to make financial decisions that no one should be faced. Families with low incomes and communities of color were disproportionately impacted.  Community resources, such as United Way 211 and Care Coordination, help families connect to services and financial assistance to meet their basic needs as they work towards financial stability. The donation from Mayerson Project and the vital information visualized by the GEO 415/ PAD 515 Cartography class will help United Way improve its services and reach families in most need. Thank you.

https://www.uwgc.org/

Professor Wang: 

"Due to COVID-19, all my students did the virtual site visit by ZOOM or just emails, which were still very successfully and helped the nonprofit and the students to learn each other's needs."

"Another adjustment was most of the class project activities were conducted on Canvas Discussion Board, instead of in-class presentations. For example, the selection of target nonprofit mapping projects was done on Canvas Discussion Board and each student posted their target nonprofit by following the rule of "the first come and the first serves". The Mayerson Project award was also voted on Canvas Discussion Board. The presentation/advertisement for the student's collaborator nonprofit was posted on Canvas Discussion Board first, and then every student submitted their ranking of all applicants in Assignment Submission Folder on Canvas."